Jaw Tension Massage

This isn't a technique I've yet, but it's also one I've never seen before. It may be worth giving a shot next time my jaw is sore or I feel an oncoming tension headache.


What are some massages and techniques that you've tried for tension pain?

Update on the Sobfest

I forgot to mention: I went out drinking last weekend! And it was wonderful! For like, two hours.

But I've decided that my alcohol-induced migraines are partly situational. For instance, when I go out for a drink or two with a friend in one of the more casual (quieter) places in town, I don't notice having a problem. On the other hand, if I go out for a drink or two at a club or crowded bar, I seem to be more apt to notice a headache come on by the end of the night (some worse than others).

So, the alcohol-induced headaches seem to be aggravated / instigated by too much noise and activity. It's not really entirely what I wanted to find out, but it's a step in the right direction.

See the original sobfest here (I was especially whiny that night).

Transformed Migraine

Somewhere along the line I stumbled upon this article, which talks about a type of migraine that describes exactly what I've been going through over the past few years.

"Transformed Migraine" begins as episodic migraine attacks, which eventually become less frequent and intense, and eventually turn into daily or almost daily headaches. These headaches sometimes become migraine attacks, or are interrupted by migraine attacks. These headaches are often time tension-related (bingo), and often a result of medication overuse.

None of this article was really news to me; it's just nice to know that I can't be the only person going through these issues, since someone was writing an article on it. Now I just need to find a support group for people who need help stopping medication overuse.

Road Trips

I often find myself getting a headache after I've been driving for a couple hours or so, which is sad because I love driving and road trips. I'm not really sure why this is, but I have a couple ideas.

I'm far-sighted, and not very much so, so I only have reading glasses that I usually only use at night. When I try wearing them while walking or driving, I get a little dizzy and get some motion sickness. It's hard for my eyes to process things that are far away while I'm moving and wearing my glasses, which inevitably gives me a headache. But maybe my eyes just have a hard time adjusting to the constant objects moving while driving?

I've also noticed that my head slightly tilts forward when pointed forward for a long period of time, like when I'm at my computer, watching tv, or driving. After a while, this creates a kink in my neck, which can become a tension headache. But I don't always notice the kink before the headache, so I'm not sure if that's what's causing these headaches either.

It's hard to say. It could be a combination of these two issues or something else entirely. Either way, it makes the drive home to Iowa a little tough, and hard to enjoy my first nights back home.

If you've got any suggestions or ideas, I'd love to hear them! :)

Sobakawa

I've heard a lot about pillows and mattresses reducing (or increasing) tension and morning headaches. I've also seen a lot of commercials lately for the Sobakawa pillow, and I've been curious. On the same thought, I'm wary about ordering Seen on TV items.

Has anyone tried it? Does it work/help? Let us know what you think!

My Story - Where it All Started, Part 1

I remember getting occasional headaches as far back as kindergarten, back when a simple, crushed aspirin did the trick. Gradually, the headaches became worse - both in frequency and intensity. By my freshman year of high school, I was checking the "has frequent headaches / migraines" box on school registration forms. 

Soon after, I began seeing doctors for headaches and was diagnosed with "tension headaches." I was being prescribed everything under the sun that had been known to "prevent" and "cure" headaches. Nothing seemed to do the trick, so I self-medicated. 

With no regard to my liver, I began taking OTC pain relievers on a daily basis (mostly Excedrin). When headaches got particularly bad, I took a prescription Imitrex (or Treximet, I can't remember). On top of this, by my senior year, I was scheduling my day around my trips to the vending machine for a bottle of Mt. Dew. Waking up with headaches every day, my daily breakfasts consisted of a dosage of Excedrin Tension Headache washed down by a swig of Mt. Dew, maybe followed by a donut from the gas station on my way to school. But I was seeing a chiropractor and a reflexologist regularly, and doing all the right things! Why was I still getting headaches and migraines every other afternoon? (hmmmm...)

Regrettably, I must admit here that I did begin to use my headaches as a crutch and excuse. I can't count how many afternoons I left school "ill," or failed to come in until midday. People knew me as the girl who always had a headache, and I used that to my rebellious advantage. Note: Since then I've learned I don't need an excuse to do things I don't want to do :)

By my freshman year of college, Excedrin was no longer doing the trick, and I couldn't afford (physically and financially) to keeping taking so much Imitrex. Before I re-visited the doctor, I made a happenstance visit to the local library. I happened to have a headache that day, which for the first time in a long time, I was attempting to fight sans drugs. After learning I was battling my millionth and first headache, my favorite librarian (bless you Demi!) dashed straight to the self-help and health sections. She brought back a pile of books, one of which stood out to me more than the others. Despite the pain in my brain, I went straight home and ate it up.

This is getting too long, so I've decided to break it up into a few reading-friendly sections. Click here to continue on to Part 2...